Saturday 25

Last night there was a Disco in College after the Eucharist. I have never been a great one for dancing, but some of the wives said that they were looking forward to dancing with me! I decided to sit quietly in the bar out of the way, but four of them came in giggling and pulled me into the dancing area, forcing me to leave my tomato juice upon the table. They insisted that I dance with each one of them in turn, saying how they had been looking forward to this, and that I should relax and enjoy myself for once. Then one of them gave me a slow, lingering kiss as though we were starring in a movie. I felt most embarrassed and was glad when another one took her place, but this was a slow dance and she held on tight, moving in a most lascivious manner. Then the DJ - a student I have never liked - announced a request for me from someone called "Fifi", and played "Relax" by someone called Frankie who for some reason or another went to Hollywood. I know very little about pop music but I read in the "Daily Mirror" that this particular song is obscene and has been banned by the BBC, so I certainly do not feel that it should have been played in a Theological College. I forced my way past the grasping hands and rushed out of the room, but then - worst of all - I caught sight of the Principal laughing and dancing with one of the wives. How could that fine, saintly man allow himself to be caught up in such a compromising situation? I really don't know what this College, and the church, is coming to!

(Editor's note: This is the final entry in the ordinand's diary. Despite the unsettling nature of his theological training, he did go forward for ordination and was made Deacon at St. Peterstide in Exeter cathedral. Priested a year later, he now serves in a small town parish in the west of England. Married, with five children, he is a leading light in the development of charismatic training days in his diocese. He still has deep misgivings about the liberal and experimental nature of his time at Salisbury, and is glad that the College was closed some years ago in order that the church might put its resources into more "party" colleges such as Oak Hill and Mirfield.)